An Insiders Guide To Adelaide United

With a place in the semi-finals of the inaugural cup competition on offer, two former Reds who now work for Sydney FC give their take on the Sky Blues Westfield FFA Cup quarter final opposition.

*Header photo by John Appleyard.

Paul Reid played for Adelaide United between 2008 and 2011, making 60 league appearances and scoring three goals. He also made two appearances for United in the AFC Champions League and was an unused substitute as the Reds finished as runners up in the 2008 Champions League final.

Lloyd Owusu represented Adelaide United for the 2009/10 season, making 16 appearances, scoring one goal, as he linked up with Marcos Flores and Socceroo Matthew Leckie as Adelaide’s attacking trio.

Thoughts on Adelaide so far this season?

LO - They’re a good team who like to play a possession based game. They play the ball from the back and build up play through the field.

PR - They’re good on the counter when they win possession back from their opponents and they use the speed of Cirio, Goodwin and Ferreira to break and attack.

Who are their danger men and why?

LO & PR - They have three or four, firstly, Bruce Dijte. He’s a real number nine who holds up the ball well and brings in the rest of the team and his work rate off the ball is exceptional. He chases and hustles defenders. Marcello Carrusca is very important to them also. He’s a clever player who plays between lines and can distribute a pass out of nothing.

Who are their young up and comers to keep an eye out for?

LO - Mabil is one youngster who I like. He is still raw, but plays with no fear. He has raw pace and is even quite strong for his light body frame.

What will Gombau be thinking ahead of tonight’s clash?

LO - He’ll definitely be thinking that he wants to win the game and hope to win some early silverware for Adelaide United.

PR – Gombau will base the team around the possession style that they play and counter when they win the ball back in the final third.

You’ve been in the Adelaide camps before, what will the mood be like ahead of tomorrow night’s game in the playing group?

LO & PR - The Adelaide United boys will be confident, but will be wary knowing that Sydney FC will be up for it after a great derby win.

How has the culture at Adelaide changed since you played there?

LO - The culture has changed a lot since I was there, as the new coach has brought in a Spanish mentality to the squad.

PR - One thing remains the same seeing from the outside to when I was there, is a real team bond with each other and we also had that then.

How are you expecting tonight’s game to unfold?

LO - I feel it’ll be a bit cagey early on, but once it opens up, I hope to see some exciting and attractive football being played.

PR - I’m going for a 2-1 win for Sydney FC.

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